Digital Accessibility
Overview
Virginia Tech is committed to providing equal access and opportunity for all students, employees, and visitors to our campus. Part of that commitment is, was, and will continue to be making our information technology and digital content accessible for all.
This commitment aligns with various federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, and the Virginia Information Technology Accessibility Act. Similar to university Policy 7215, the Access Act requires Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA conformance for digital content. At this time, the effective date for the state law remains unchanged and is this Friday, April 24, 2026; university Policy 7215 is currently effective and applies to electronic and information technology, including webpages and digital course materials.
Key Impacts on Virginia Tech
The Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education (CRCPE) and Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) are leading initiatives to renew the university’s focus on these regulations and to showcase the benefits of providing accessible content yields for learners, instructors, and co-workers alike.
To make this as easy as possible, CRCPE and TLOS are working to identify solutions and resources to support us as we make our online content and tools compliant. With this goal in mind, we have:
- Reviewed the new regulations to determine and prioritize requirements
- Developed a timeline to reach compliance
- Identified training needs
- Identified resource needs to achieve and maintain compliance
We are working towards raising awareness of the published enforcement date for the Title II regulation to ensure that the campus community is aware of these requirements and empowered to take action in a timely manner.
All creators and stewards of digital content will be impacted. We are working to ensure our paid third-party vendors (e.g., Canvas, Zoom, Microsoft, Google) adopt these regulations as well. Influencing vendors to comply and modifying future contracts to include Title II adherence is vital to Virginia Tech’s successful compliance with the new rules.
The Title II working group is requesting additional resources and talent to track accessibility compliance and to support individuals as they make the changes that are necessary. It is important to note that making content accessible is a shared responsibility, and the regulation applies to every employee who creates electronic assets or instructional materials. All of us need to learn how to make resources universally accessible. CRCPE and TLOS will provide guidance and assist, but most of the work falls to employees in our colleges and divisions. Small improvements can make a significant impact, but it is important to begin now.
Laws and Policies
Americans with Disabilities Act, as Amended, Title II
Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all public entities, including Virginia Tech, have an obligation to ensure programs, events, and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes all the information and content we share digitally.
In 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued regulations establishing WCAG 2.1 AA as the technical conformance standard for web content and mobile applications. The original deadline for compliance for large entities was April 24, 2026. On April 20, 2026, the DOJ extended the deadline to April 26, 2027.
2024 Regulations: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities
The Commonwealth of Virginia's Information Technology Access Act
Virginia’s Information Technology Access Act (IT Access Act) requires public institutions of higher education to provide accessible information and communications technology (ICT). ICT includes, among other things, web content, Canvas and other digital course content, software, and apps. The IT Access Act defines accessibility of ICT in terms of conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 criteria.
The effective date of the state law is April 24, 2026.
Virginia Tech Policy No. 7215
Updated in 2022, Policy 7214 states that electronic and Information Technology (EIT) will comply specifically with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and with WCAG 2.1 AA.
Statement on Virginia Tech’s commitment to civil rights and accessibility
Virginia Tech is committed to providing equal access and opportunity for all students, employees, and visitors to our campus. The university provides dedicated resources and is committed to enabling access in both physical and digital spaces, ensuring that all individuals can access the resources, opportunities, and learning environments that define the Virginia Tech experience.
Digital accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing or interacting with websites, digital tools, and technologies.
Virginia Tech's emphasis on civil rights and accessibility is ongoing, for digital accessibility as well as physical accessibility. The university recognizes that accessibility is a shared responsibility and actively collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and the broader community to create an environment where every Hokie can succeed.
Key stakeholders and subject matter experts
As we proceed with providing tools and raising awareness, we are striving to stay in constant collaboration with our digital accessibility communities: the Accessibility Network, Disability Alliance (for students), Disability Caucus (for employees), and the organizers of our certification program in accessibility core competencies.